Short Summary

A major financial scandal over alleged exchange-control offenses and tax evasion has led to an important trial in Kinshasa, capital of the Congo Democratic Republic.

Description

A major financial scandal over alleged exchange-control offenses and tax evasion has led to an important trial in Kinshasa, capital of the Congo Democratic Republic.

Among those standing trial are the Belgian manager of a Kinshasa Bank, for whom the public prosecutor has demanded a 40-year jail term, and a Congo industrialist who faces a one-year sentence and a 200,000 Zaire (166,000 Sterling) fine.

State and National bank lawyers have said the alleged offenses amounted to sabotage of the congolese currency, and coincided with a fall in the rate of the Zaire on the parallel market.

COLONEL LASMAR BOUZAINE, WHO ONCE SPENT 18 MONTHS IN THE CONGO COMMANDING A TUNISIAN CONTINGENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE FORCE, ARRIVED IN KINSHASA RECENTLY TO TAKE UP THE JOB OF HIS COUNTRY'S FIRST AMBASSADOR.